ActionSA opposes the R22m statues project by EThekwini Municipality

ActionSA KZN Chairperson Zwakele Mncwango

ActionSA in KZN opposes the decision by eThekwini Municipality to allocate R22 million to a statue project.

The municipality unveiled two statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

President Cyril Ramaphosa unveils the Nelson Mandela statue at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, paying tribute to the country’s first democratic president and struggle icon. For more visit pic.twitter.com/syxRtQJk9V

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 3, 2026

ActionSA KZN Chairperson Zwakele Mncwango says the project indicates poor financial management. In a statement, he emphasised that the statues will not benefit the community in any way.

“Every available rand should be rewarded toward stabilising municipal finances and addressing urgent service delivery backlogs. R22 million could have been invested in repairing water infrastructure, upgrading the pump station or strengthening storm water ahead of the next heavy rains. Instead, they chose symbolism over service delivery.”

Supporters of the Democratic Alliance protested the unveiling of the bronze statues honouring Mandela and Tambo.

eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba says the city’s decision to spend R 22 million on the two new statues of ANC struggle stalwarts is an investment for tourism and job creation.

WATCH | Ethekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba says the municipality is actively dealing with service delivery and infrastructure challenges adding that the budget for the statues is separate and aimed at boosting tourism. pic.twitter.com/YviK2AAkN0

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 3, 2026